Published in 1960, 'The End of Ideology' is a landmark work in American social thought. Daniel Bell posits that the grand ideologies derived from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries have lost their relevance. He argues that with the rise of affluent welfare states and institutionalized bargaining, revolutionary movements aiming to overthrow liberal democracy will no longer attract the working classes. The book also discusses the resumption of history following the end of communism, highlighting the return of traditional ethnic and religious conflicts. Bell's work is characterized by its critique of utopian visions and its emphasis on pragmatic, piecemeal technological adjustments within existing systems.
Dwight Macdonald's 'Masscult and Midcult' is a sharp critique of American mass and middlebrow culture. Macdonald distinguishes between 'masscult,' the lowest common denominator of popular culture, and 'midcult,' a more sophisticated but still intellectually shallow form of cultural production. He argues that both forms of culture contribute to a decline in genuine artistic and intellectual achievement. Macdonald's essay is a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the nature and impact of mass media. His work remains relevant in discussions about the commercialization of culture and the erosion of highbrow standards.
Paul Lazarsfeld's 'Personal Influence' is a seminal work in communication studies, exploring how interpersonal relationships influence the spread of information and attitudes. The book challenges the 'magic bullet' theory of media effects, arguing that media messages are often filtered and interpreted through social networks. Lazarsfeld's research, conducted in the 1930s and 40s, emphasizes the role of opinion leaders in shaping public opinion. The book's findings have had a lasting impact on advertising, public relations, and political communication. Its conclusions were later used to support the idea that mass media's influence is limited.
In the summer of 1959, Nixon and Khrushchev argued over a washing machine in a backstage kitchen in Moscow, while American Cold War intellectuals gathered in the Poconos to defend Kitsch. Dwight Macdonald, whose theory of mass culture translated too easily into Anti-Americanism, was barred from participating because this was no ordinary mass culture conference; it was an Anti Anti-Americanism operation. Meanwhile, in London, Dwight Macdonald delivered a mass culture lecture of his own called "America, America,” based on the most famous article Encounter magazine never published.
Shownotes: Jefferson Pooley wrote about Edward Shils and The Remobilization of the Propaganda and Morale Network. Sophie Scott-Brown wrote about Raphael Samuel and the New Left.
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Support ToE and get access to the incredible exclusive bonus companion series to Not All Propaganda is Art by subscribing athttps://theoryofeverything.supercast.com/, or subscribe directly in Apple Podcasts by hitting “Subscribe” right on the show page.
Benjamen Walker's Theory of Everything 
